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District basketball preview - girls classes 4 & 5
By Joboo | January 22, 2008
With less than a month until the start of district competition for classes 4 & 5, I thought this would be a good time to take a look ahead at the districts involving teams from the Ozarks, cover the key points in each one, & make some fearless predictions. We’ll start with the ladies in the large classes & cover the guys Thursday.
CLASS 4
District 4 - Union
- Owensville
- Salem
- St. Clair
- St. James
- Sullivan
- Union
Salem has a very realistic shot of taking this district. They’re 2-2 against the other district teams this year. The key games being a 3 point road loss to St. James & a 6 point loss to Sullivan at home. Sullivan should be the top seed, with St. James 2nd, & Salem 3rd.
Prediction - Sullivan hasn’t had a bad loss all year & has the kind of defense that wins in the postseason. Sullivan over Salem in the championship game.
District 9 - Bolivar
- Bolivar
- Buffalo
- Eldon
- Marshfield
- Willard
Most likely the #1 & 2 teams in state meet here. Bolivar has Supergirl Casey Garrison leading the way & is capable of beating anyone. But Marshfield won the earlier meeting with strong defense & team play. They made a believer out of me.
Prediction - This looks like a special group of Lady Jays. They win the championship over Bolivar & march on to a state title.
District 11 - Branson
- Ava
- Branson
- Reeds Spring
- Republic
- Rogersville
- West Plains
Seems to be a pretty clear pecking order here. Republic, West Plains, Branson, Ava, Rogersville, Reeds Spring. Although feel free to debate Rogersville & Ava if you like. On paper this looks like Republic & everyone else. But West Plains has had a good season & is capable of good things.
Prediction - Republic seems to beat every team they’re supposed to, & lose to teams they’re supposed to. I don’t see this being any different. Republic over West Plains.
District 12 - Carl Junction
- Carl Junction
- Carthage
- Cassville
- McDonald County
- Monett
- Webb City
The Lady Bulldogs of Carl Junction are the favorites here. They own good wins over the next 2 teams, Carthage & Webb City, already. A trip to Mt. Vernon to end the regular season may give us a read on just how good they are.
Prediction - Playing the district on their home court, this is CJ’s to lose. I’ll take Carthage as the second place finisher.
CLASS 5
District 10 - Hickman
- Camdenton
- Helias
- Hickman
- Jefferson City
- Rock Bridge
- Sedalia Smith-Cotton
The Camdenton girls have struggled all year & get rewarded with a tough district. Both Hickman & Rock bridge are state ranked.
Prediction - One & done for the Lakers. I’ll take the Kewpies over Rock Bridge in the final.
District 11 - Rolla
- Central
- Glendale
- Hillcrest
- Lebanon
- Rolla
- Waynesville
Intriguing district with Waynesville as the favorite, but not a real inspiring one having lost to Central already this year. No one else stands out either though. After a promising start, Central has failed to deliver.
Prediction - The Lady Tigers take it. Who they take it from is anyone’s guess. I’ll go with Glendale.
District 12 - Kickapoo
- Joplin
- Kickapoo
- Neosho
- Nixa
- Ozark
- Parkview
Should be a fun district. You can make good cases for 3 of the teams (Kickapoo, Nixa, & Ozark) being able to win. And no one should take Neosho & Parkview too lightly either.
Prediction - Just can’t pick against Kickapoo on their home floor. I’m fighting off the urge to pick a Bethanie Funderburk led Nixa upset & I’ll tag them for second.
Topics: Basketball |